Concert Review—

An Unforgettable Afternoon

By June April

The third concert of Newtown Friends of Music’s 2004-05 season was one of the most outstanding ever presented at Edmond Town Hall. Trio Solisti, who performed on February 13, has already been recognized as one of the most exciting young artists, as individuals and as performers of chamber music.

In the four years violinist Maria Bachmann, cellist Alexis Pia Gerlach and pianist Jon Klibonoff have been associated, they have bonded to create a musical union that brings with it a performing level of energy, spirit and understanding that is uplifting to watch and hear. Musical nuances are approached with as much integrity as are powerful sequences.

Sunday’s program opened with the lyrical and lively Piano Trio in G Major by Joseph Haydn.  Written in 1795, this popular work is as charming today as it was appreciated when it was first performed. With its Hungarian gypsy/folk character, it is passionate and melodic, with classical tenets serving as the underlying structure.

In the grand tradition of Beethoven, Brahms’ Romantic inclinations find powerful expression in the last of his three extant piano trios.  The opening and closing movements of his Trio No. 3 in C minor, Opus 101 were played with enormous control yet dynamic delivery. The textures for each of the four movements work harmoniously yet concisely, and reflect the musical ideals his perfectionists mind.

The second half of the concert was one piece, a shimmering and evocative work by Maurice Ravel. Written in 1914, the tumultuous period of World War I, Piano Trio in A minor has an ephemeral quality. It is not until the last movement, the Finale, that commanding and explosive chords bring the realization of the torment he must have felt at the time of this work’s writing. It recalls the stirrings of life, somewhat like Stravinsky’s Rites of Spring, but with sonorous, rather than strident, stirrings.

Trio Solisti’s range of repertoire is impressive and broad, including contemporary works.

The sweet, rich tone of Maria Bachmann’s 1870 Vuillaume violin is exquisite. The technical skills, combined with fine artistry, sensitivity and passion for music, have guaranteed respect and demand for this ensemble.

They have performed in 23 countries and throughout the United States.  Their CD of the Tempest Fantasy, which also includes a fine performance of clarinetist David Krakauer, was finished last year and was recorded on the Arabesque label.

Next month or early April will see the release of their newest CD, Johannes Brahms’ Trio in C minor and also his Trio in B Major, on the Marquis label. To hear this wonderful trio again, this reviewer intends to purchase a copy as soon as it’s available.

In the meantime, there is always the trio’s website. Trio commissioned composer Paul Moravec, whose creation Tempest Fantasy won the Pulitzer Award last year. Listening to a tidbit of this work at TrioSolisti.com was titillating and beckons further listening.

It brought back memories of an unforgettable performance in Newtown.